A well-designed landscape not only helps to emphasize a house’s beauty and architectural features, but also increases the value of a home by improving the curb. While an attractive yard can take the time and money to create, there are some creative and easy-to-maintain ways to update the exterior of …

On average, homeowners with a lawn area of 0.25 acres can expect to spend more money on landscaping that involves a professional design and mixed materials. When you’re working with a smaller space than that, there are two ways to approach small backyard landscaping. First, with less space to fill, …

Look beyond the typical colored flowers for Christmas decoration and flaunt the ruffled, two-toned petals of the parrot tulip. Play off their chartreuse stripes by adding Plumosa fern to the bouquet and spruce pieces at the base of a metallic serving tray. Continue the color theme by filling clear containers …

Sarah has been a leading interior designer for more than 20 years. Although she leans towards classical, symmetrical architecture, her style has a modern edge with her own innovative and distinctive designs of fabric, wallpaper and furniture with color and pattern. Over the past few years, Sarah has worked on …

Bluebell seeds can take several years to reach flowering size, so it’s better to buy bulbs. In spring you can get bluebells while they’re flowering (also called ‘in the green’), which many gardeners believe have a better chance of establishing well. Alternatively you can buy them as dry bulbs to …

Get to know Celosia Do you want flowers that last up to a month in fantastic colors and striking shapes? Learn how to grow celosia (Celosia argentea cristata). This tender perennial remains undaunted in the summer sun and produces a profusion of flowers to enjoy in the garden and in …

It’s also not the same as Mediterranean, or tropical. In the simplest definition, coastal is close to the shore. Using natural light, soft tones and a clean aesthetic, it’s meant to evoke the windiness of the beach. Basically, it feels like summer all year round inside your house. “A coastal …

Passiflora is a striking tropical vine that is easy to grow. This popular houseplant or garden vine is also easy to propagate. Passionflower propagation can be achieved by seed or stem cuttings in spring, or by layering in late summer. Propagating Passion Flower Seeds Passion flower seeds germinate best when …

To see your cluster of houseplants as a sculpture, imagine if they were all attached, would the design still work or would it seem awkward? Although all plants and plantings may vary, they should generally flow into a cohesive form when arranged together. If you have a cluster of potted …

There’s no doubt about it – black flowers add a touch of dramatic intensity to any landscape. They add a new meaning to the phrase ‘black goes with anything’. Truly black blooms are rare, and most flowers marketed as black are actually deep red, blue, or purple. While the deepest …